Russia Backs Government's Move On Article 370; Says 'It's Within Framework Of Indian Constitution'

While backing the move by Indian government, Russia also called on both Pakistan and India to avoid aggravation of the situation in the region triggered by the change.In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said that the country proceeds from fact that the r

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi/ Image: Twitter (@narendramodi)

New Delhi: Russia on Saturday backed Indian government’s move of scrapping Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and its division into two Union Territories, saying that the change brought about by New Delhi is in line with the Constitution of India. It also called on both Pakistan and India to avoid aggravation of the situation in the region triggered by the change. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said that the country proceeds from fact that the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by the government was carried out within the provisions of the Indian Constitution. “Moscow expects that India and Pakistan will not allow aggravation of the situation in the region due to the change by Delhi in the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” it said in the statement. “We proceed from fact that the changes associated with the change in the status of the state of J&K and its division into two union territories are carried out within framework of the Constitution of the Republic of India,” Moscow stated. “Russia is a consistent supporter of normalization of relations between India and Pakistan.We hope that the differences between them will be resolved by political and diplomatic means on a bilateral basis”, it further said. Tensions between India and Pakistan spiraled after New Delhi revoked Article 370 to withdraw the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh. In reaction to India's move, Pakistan downgraded the diplomatic relations by expelling the Indian High Commissioner and suspended trade ties with New Delhi.